How the E-3 Sentry Is Running the Air Picture Over Iran

An E-3 Sentry is a flying radar station and command post.

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron departs after completion of aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 3, 2021. The E-3 Sentry is able to differentiate between hostile and friendly aircraft operating within the same airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Monte)

Author’s note: I’m not going to get into the obscene politics of striking Iran at the moment, other than to say that generally, war is bad and should be avoided. As a veteran, it always seems like the politicians who never served in the military are always the most eager to engage in military adventurism. Now that the war has started, however, my interest is in the safety of my fellow servicemembers.

There has also been reporting about a strike on a school in Iran resulting in child casualties. It’s currently unclear whether this is Iranian propaganda or true. If true, this is a war crime that demands accountability.

For new subscribers, I served for four years in the US Army infantry with the 101st Airborne Division, two years in a US Army Civil Affairs unit with a primary focus of Eastern Europe, and four years in the US Air Force where I worked on the complex radar system of the E-3 Sentry. Welcome.

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I had previously reported that the US Air Force had six E-3 Sentry’s in theater in preparation for attacks against Iran. I have seen more recent reporting of three or four birds. Regardless, that’s a lot of air battle management in one place. So what the hell are these AWACS actually doing right now?